A lunar eclipse is a celestial event that occurs when the Earth positions itself between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow upon the Moon. This can only happen during a full moon when the Moon’s orbit brings it into alignment with the Earth and Sun. There are two parts to Earth’s shadow: the umbra, where the Sun’s light is completely blocked, and the penumbra, where only part of the light is obscured. Depending on the Moon’s path through these shadows, a lunar eclipse can be total, partial, or penumbral. During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon can take on a reddish hue due to Rayleigh scattering—the same effect that causes sunsets and sunrises to appear red—as the Earth’s atmosphere bends the sunlight and filters out blue light before it reaches the Moon. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to observe without any special equipment and can be seen from anywhere on Earth’s night side.

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